Saturday, August 16, 2008

New Spy Powers for Police: Democracy at Risk??

Today a new article in WaPo exposes Bush's latest tactic to bring the US closer to a true police state:

The Justice Department has proposed a new domestic spying measure that would make it easier for state and local police to collect intelligence about Americans, share the sensitive data with federal agencies and retain it for at least 10 years.

We're talking about local and state police, not some federal agents. And yes, that was "intelligence collecting", spying, not just enforcing the law. And what stringent safeguards, what conditions are in place to protect our real or imagined freedoms?? All the police need is "reasonable suspicion". Ah, yes, that wonderful and accurate cornerstone to prevent abuse: it's up to each officer's own renowned instincts, his "suspicion".

Or, to put it literally now:

law enforcement agencies would be allowed to target groups as well as individuals, and to launch a criminal intelligence investigation based on the suspicion that a target is engaged in terrorism or providing material support to terrorists.

And of course, this suspicion can be transmitted to

a constellation of federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and others in many cases.

Shall we consult our astrologers to know what agencies in the "constellation" will be affected? Does anybody realize how this can taint a person's reputation and life?? The taint of suspicion, especially suspicion of terrorism, can absolutely ruin someone's life. And what about Middle eastern or Muslim Americans? What right-minded police officer wouldn't be suspicious of them?? And what does this do to our democracy - or what's left of it?

Jim McMahon, deputy executive director of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, said the proposed changes "catch up with reality" in that those who investigate crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking and document fraud are best positioned to detect terrorists. He said the rule maintains the key requirement that police demonstrate a "reasonable suspicion" that a target is involved in a crime before collecting intelligence.

OK, maybe I'm not laundering money or faking documents. But what if I gave to a charity that later on was found to be, unbeknownst to me, contributing to some terrorist group? Will I be held in one of those new prison complexes the GOP has been preparing for just such a need? What if some police officer thought I was acting suspiciously? I know of a guy who was "taken down" by a team from the JTT (joint terrorism task force) and 5 squad cars with his children in the car just because he allegedly said to a grocery checker "Take care on the 4th of July" at a time when July 4 was on a "red" level terror alert (a few years back) and she knew he was from an Arab country. He was detained and questioned for hours until his attorney got him released a few days later. They refused to tell him what he was accused of, btw.

And that was THEN. NOW what level of suspicion and surveillance can they enact? Knowing the genius of police depts. around the country, there's no telling how this thing could play out. But don't worry:

Supporters say the measures simply codify existing counterterrorism practices and policies that are endorsed by lawmakers and independent experts such as the 9/11 Commission. They say the measures preserve civil liberties and are subject to internal oversight.

Ahhh, why didn't I mention that earlier? "Internal oversight" will be our checks and balances. Now doesn't that make you feel better?

2 comments:

When the time comes that MORE paranoid cops approach me with vigorous intent to dispose of my civil liberties and attempt to deny my rights, I will act in the same manner as I always have.

I will issue a warning that they have stepped over the line and that are out of bounds and then, if they persist, I will sue the living hell out of them like I did to (5) Albuquerqe, New Mexico police officers, (2) Bernalillo County jailers and (1) assistant motel manager, and a partridge in a pear tree...

They were ALL out of a job when I finished with them.

I am a Marine and I don't play that BS game. Not while I am under oath and duty for this nation.

For ANYONE that wishes to allow themselves to fall prey to this crap? Stay at home and hide under your beds until you can join us in the world of the mature and responsible.

I am not degrading this author's story in ANY manner, as what he is reporting is true in most aspects, but he failed to mention that the reasons for these autrocities occurring is that the average Joe and Jane American are too busy sitting on their asses and NOT taking an active part in GUIDING their elected officials and MAINTAINING THEIR COUNTRY! They have actually become lame-duck constituents.

People! GET OFF YOUR BUTTS AND MAINTAIN YOUR COUNTRY and ALL of this crap will go away!

Remain sitting on your asses and you deserve EVERYTHING that you will or will not get!

In fact, I couldn't agree with you more! I've been wanting to write a separate post on this very issue: I call them "protoplasm" for their total refusal to stand up and act like human beings. What about citizens? Thank you for a GREAT comment that I hope MORE people will act on! Without action, how can it even be a country?? Freedom after all has to begin at home...and it's not free there, either.